Late
Tuesday afternoon, the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) announced that all
K-12 schools and career and technical center campuses are to remain closed
through April 15. All state-required assessments have been cancelled through
the remainder of the school year. All remaining assessments for school
readiness, voluntary pre-kindergarten and K-12 assessments are cancelled. Requirements
for graduation and promotion, and final course grades will be evaluated as
though those assessments which were cancelled did not exist. In addition, school
performance grades will not be calculated for the 2019-2020 academic year.

The
FLDOE also advised that unspent categorical funds, funds that are allocated for
a specific purpose, may be redirected to provide students with digital devices
and Internet service.

“We
welcome the decisions specific to accountability and statewide assessments, and commend the Governor and
Commissioner for providing school districts greater flexibility in the use of funding
to address critical needs,” said Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho.
“This latitude will assist districts in their efforts to successfully navigate
this new educational reality.”

Instructional
Delivery

Since news of
the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak first surfaced, Miami-Dade County Public
Schools (M-DCPS) has prepared for distance learning. Since Friday, March 13th, M-DCPS has deployed more than 50,000 devices to students for distance learning use. To ensure all students are participating in distance learning, the deadline to receive a device or exchange an existing one has been extended. Students who need devices may pick them up at school sites through end of day Friday, March 20.

Day one of
distance learning on Monday, March 16th at M-DCPS led to impressive
results, with approximately 16,600 teachers receiving professional development
via webinar, and hundreds of thousands of students logging in across a wide array of online educational applications.

The
teacher-student connection has not been lost outside of the classroom. There
were over 86,000 views and more than 25,000 student-teacher replies on Edmodo, one
of the many digital platforms available for teachers to connect directly with
students and parents/guardians.

The Distance
Learning Help Desk (305-995-HELP) assisted 800 students, parents, and teachers on
Monday alone. The hotline took additional calls today and remains open daily
from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. until Friday, March 20th.

Parent/Guardian
engagement is critically important to the success of distance learning.
Students and parents may access the M-DCPS comprehensive Instructional
Continuity Plan (ICP) by logging onto http://icp.dadeschools.net/.As
part of the established plan, the District has also adapted content to be
accessible for students with special needs and English Language Learners.
Students can access their applications via the Student Portal.

To
assist in Internet connectivity, Comcast continues to offer free WiFi via
Xfinity hotspots where Xfinity service is available for 60 days. This is in
addition to the Internet Essentials Program, normally $9.95 per month, that
will provide an in-home modem and 60 days of free service for eligible low-income
M-DCPS families.

Participation
in this program is strongly recommended for those in need. More information
about the free Internet service can be found at http://distancelearning.dadeschools.net/. Access
to free WiFi connections via hotspots should be limited to educational use or
other essential health and safety functions. Comcast has also agreed to provide
flexibility on late fees and payment options. Those struggling to pay for
internet service should contact 1-800-Comcast.

Sanitization
Efforts

Teams
of 20 to 30 custodians, supervised by master custodians have been sanitizing
schools since early Monday morning. The teams have sanitized more than 20
schools so far, using hospital-grade germicides to clean floors, classrooms, restrooms,
cafeterias, gyms, all common areas and contact points; wiping and mopping down
surfaces and fogging where needed. Maintenance personnel is also addressing air
quality control by cleaning air conditioning filters and coils. The crews will
be following contagious disease protocols which include personal protective
gear and washing everything they use.

Cancellation
of March School Board Meeting

Pursuant
to Board Policy 0165, Public Meetings, the regular School Board meeting
scheduled for March 18, 2020, has been cancelled as a result of the current
closure of schools consistent with Governor Ron DeSantis’ declared State of
Emergency due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Following
the guidance of the Florida Department of Health, which suggests “the
cancellation of gatherings greater than 10 people…” to protect against the
spread of COVID-19, M-DCPS is taking all precautions to ensure the safety of
our workforce and our community.

This
cancellation is reflected on the District’s master calendar, which can be
viewed at http://meetings.dadeschools.net/. A replacement date for the statutorily
required Board meeting shall be appropriately noticed.

M-DCPS Employee Information

To further limit convenings of more than 10 people, beginning Wednesday,
employees assigned to the School Board Administration Building Complex have
been advised to work remotely, unless specifically designated by their worksite
administrator.

Employees, retirees, and
their dependents will have uninterrupted access to healthcare. Insurance coverage
will continue even if the ability to remit premium is delayed. Once normal
operations resume, arrangements will be made to collect outstanding premium.

Employees enrolled in a
District health plan will incur no out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing, if
it is medically necessary.

The CDC has recently advised
of elevated travel advisory levels to several areas and has issued specific
guidance related to cruise ship travel. The District strongly recommends
employees refrain from traveling to areas currently at Level 3 or Level 2, as well
as defer travel via cruise ship. If employees choose to travel against these
advisories, absences will be charged in accordance with established payroll
procedures.

Meal Distribution for Students

The
District will continue to provide free “grab-and-go” breakfasts and lunches to
students and their families, in external areas of school sites between 9 a.m. –
12:30 p.m. this week.

M-DCPS
food service personnel distributed more than 50,000 hot to-go meals in the
first two days of school closures, demonstrating the great level of need in our
community.

M-DCPS Support Lines:

District Emergency
Operations hotline: 305-995-3000

oTo answer questions from students, parents and other community
members about school district-related coronavirus response efforts.

oHours of Operation: M – F from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Instructional Learning Plan hotline:
305-995-HELP (4357)

oTo support students, parents and teachers in engaging in distance
learning.

oProvides the M-DCPS framework for distance learning
for pre-K-12 students.

The
District will continue to monitor all developments in this evolving situation
and will communicate via the links above, as well as through automated
messaging, media announcements and social media.

Resources

Mission Statement

Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) Office of Communications (OOC) is committed to the timely and accurate dissemination of information that highlights the school districts programs, initiatives, and achievements to reinforce awareness among internal and external stakeholders. We pursue this mission through targeted messaging, integrated marketing, social media, and public relations activities that inform and educate parents, students, employees, and all stakeholders of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.